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Period: to
1750-1918
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James Watt designs a more efficient steam engine
James Watt was able to design a more efficient steam engine because he was sent one to repair. He added a crank and flywheel to create rotary motion. It was said that his steam engine was four times more powerful than the original -
The First Fleet arrives in Botany Bay
The First Fleet which was made up of nine ships and two navy vessels set sail for new lands to settle. Aboard the ships were convicts, marine officials and a brave captain named Captain James Phillips. They arrived in Botany Bay but thought this place as unsuitable to live in so then landed at Port Jackson and settled. -
Alessandro Volta invents the battery to store electrical current
In 1780 an Italian named Galvani was experimenting with frog's legs and had them on a brass hook when they were poked with a metal probe they twitch. Volta put this theory to the test by stacking silver and zinc disks together and when he connected a wire to both ends of the pile a steady flow of electricty was made. Volta then wrote a letter to Joseph Banks who was the president of the Royal Society in London to tell him about this discovery. -
George Stephenson builds the passenger railway between Liverpool and Manchester
In 1821 George Stephenson was appointed the engineer for construction of the Stockton railway. He did such a good job that he was choosen to be the engineer for the Liverpool and Manchester railway line. Then, in 1829 a competition was held to find the best locomotive that would be able to pull very heavy loads over long distances. Stephensons' design won and one year later the design became a reality. -
Gold discovered in Australia
In 1850, Edward Hargraves found gold near Bathurst, New South Wales, triggering many gold rushes to follow. These gold rushes caused people from all over the world to migrate to Australia and try to become wealthy. The economy also grew because people were spending big in the shops. -
Convict transportation to Australia ceases
On the 26th of January, the British flag was raised at Sydney Cove and the 751 convicts stepped foot on Australian soil for the first time. Convicts were seen as a source of labour and helped work on public facilities. In the early times of Australia convicts were taking up most of the population and only 6% were behind bars. The majority of convicts were Welsh, Irish and Scottish. The last ships of convicts disembarked in Western Australia and the last 162,000 convicts were transported to Aus. -
Thomas Edison unveils electric light system
Thomas Edison started to become determined with his electrical light system in 1878. The Edison Electric Light Company was made in November 18 1878 to carry out many experiments to help find out about the chance of an electric light. Edison finally got his break through due to a filament of carbonised thread. -
Federation of Australia
Australia became an independent nation after the British allowed the six colonies of Australia to become one. Australia was established as a constitional monarchy. -
Orville and Wilbur Wright achieve the controlled, powered, man-carying flight
Between 1899 and 1905 the Wright brothers become very interested in aeronautical research. They conducted many experiments which led them to create their first heavier-than-air aeroplane. -
Henry Ford produces the Ford Motel T
In 1906, Ford set up a secret factory to start designing and producing their first car. After looking at the wreckage of a French race car Henry Ford discovered that the car was made of different steel and the parts were lighter. Ford found out that the steel was vandium alloy. Therefore, Ford set up a steel mill to make this and so for five years Ford where the only company making cars with this metal. This is why Henry Ford revolutionised the American world. -
Titanic sinks
On April 10th,1912, the Titanic set sail for New York not knowing the dangers that lay ahead. The ship was a luxury cruiser and one of the largest for its time. Many people thought it was unsinkable. However, they were wrong because on April 14th the Titanic struck an iceberg and 1517 people die. -
World War 1 Begins
World War 1 began when Britain and Germany went to war with each other. Australia declared full support for Britain. The were over 60,000 Australians lost during WW1 and many more wounded and scarred for life. This event impacted the world in many different ways but for a small country like Australia it really hit hard.
